Decorative novelty device

ABSTRACT

An article illustrative of a particular geographic location, such as the Arctic Region, including a multi-layer base with decorative and utilitarian objects mounted thereon. The base includes a lower portion or mass of substantially completely fused pellets and an upper portion or mass of partially fused pellets to produce light scintillations.

United States Patent Crane [45] Apr. 4, 1972 [54] DECORATIVE NOVELTY DEVICE [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Joanne C. Crane, 12005 Woodbine Lane, UNITED STATES PATENTS .W., T W h. 98499 7 S acoma as 2,761,177 9/1956 Walters ..l6l/162 x Filedi 15,1969 3,000,774 9/1961 Swedlow et al. ..l6l/4 X 1211 Appl. No; 871,414 2,592,258 4/1952 Economakis ..l6l/l Related US. Application Data Primary Examiner-Philip Dier [62] Division of No. 533,484 Man 11 1966, abam Attorney-A. Yates Dowell and A. Yates Dowell, Jr.

doned.

[57] ABSTRACT [5 2] Cl 6 An article illustrative of a particular geographic location, such 1 1 Cl B44f 4 as the Arctic Region, including a multi-layer base with decora- {gd zl' 125 138 tive and utilitarian objects mounted thereon. The base includes a lower portion or mass of substantially completely fused pellets and an upper portion or mass of partially fused pellets to produce light scintillations.

1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Rtented April 4, 1972 v 3,654,046

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DECORATIVE NOVELTY DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 533,484, filed Mar. 11, 1966, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION objects were mounted. In other devices the objects have been imbedded within a transparent mass of material, however, such mass had to be transparent so that the imbedded object could be seen. i

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a decorative novelty device having a base with a lower portion constructed of generally transparent pelletized material which has been substantially completely fused together, and an upper portion of pelletized material which has been partially fused together to produce light scintillations representative of snow. One or more accessory parts of a decorative or utilitarian character are mounted on the base and normally arepartiallyfused to the upper layer thereof. The decorative novelty devices are representative of cold regions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device having a translucent base with an upper portion of a character to produce light scintillations and with one or more objects of a decorative or utilitarian character being mounted thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continued reference to the drawing, in FIG. 1 a base or support structure is provided, formed of a transparent thermoplastic material, which preferably may be of varying thickness throughout the plan area thereof. The upper surface 12 of the base 10 is of an irregular beaded texture simulating snow with a decidedly sparkling or scintillating icy characteristic. A chunk of irregular-shaped relatively clear and transparent glass, rock crystal or the like 14 is mounted in one part of the icy snow surface 12 and so positioned as to simulate the top of a small iceberg protruding up through the snow. Spaced around the iceberg 14 in recumbent or resting postures are positioned figurines of a family of seals, formed of china or the like, including an adult seal 16 and two smaller seals or pups l8 and 18a. Mounted on another part of the snow surface is a support device 20 for preferably universally swivelly mounting a removable writing device such as a ball point pen 22. In another part or area of icy surface 12 there may be artistically arranged, if desired, an elongated label of metal or the like imbedded or otherwise secured thereon for identifying the novelty scene or its creators.

It will be noted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 that a line of demarcation 24 is shown on the peripheral edge or side of the base 10 indicative generally of the upper limits of a substan- 2 tially melted or fused lower portion 26 of thermoplastic pellets, representative of a solid ice foundation. and an upper portion 28 of partially fused pellets representative of icy snow which integrally blends into the foundation ice.

In the manufacture of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a mold 35, such as shown in FIG. 4, may be used. Such mold includes a smooth generally horizontal heat-resistant plate or tray 36 having a recess 37 with a fiat bottom 39 and side walls 38 of any desired peripheral configuration or contour, as may be desired to be imparted to the novelty base 10 an irregular configuration being preferred since it: suggests a piece of floating ice. Into the recess 37 is poured a desired quantity or mass of crystal clear thermoplastic pellets or cooking crystals" 40 of a relatively small size to provide the desired depth of the lower portion 26 of the novelty base 10 the thermoplastic pellets may be made, for example, from polystyrene, acrylics, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, vinyl polymers and copolymers, or polyethylene. The pellets 40 may be spread to provide either a relatively level upper surface or uneven upper surface as may be desired in the finished novelty. Thereafter, the mold 35 is fired or heated in an oven (not shown) sufficiently to partially liquefy the lower portion of the base and substantially fuse the pellets together.

After the pellets of the lower portion 26 are fused together, the mold 35 is removed from the oven and the lower portion 26 is permitted to partially cool. While the lower portion 26 is slightly soft, the accessory parts, including the iceberg 14, the figures 16, 18 and 18a representing animals, and the support structures 20 for the utilitarian devices, are placed thereon and, if desired, may be lightly pressed down into the soft material of such lower portion. Then a second mass of pellets 40, which form the upper portion 28 of the base, are placed within the recess 37 surrounding the figurines and other accessory parts and overlying portions thereof. Preferably, the pellets of the second mass are distributed unevenly over the lower portion 26 to provide a relatively uneven surface 12 with hills and valleys. The mold 35 is then returned to the oven and subjected to a second firing or heating sufficient to partially fuse the pellets together and to partially fuse the pellets to the accessory parts resulting in a more permanent attachment of such parts and avoiding the necessity for adhesives or mechanical fasteners of any kind.

The heating or firing operations may be performed in any desired manner, as for example in a conventional high temperature oven (not shown). The degree of heat and the time of application of such heat are such that the lower portion 26 will be substantially melted and fused together, and the upper portion 28 will have only an incipient fusing or partial melting of the pellets to such an extent that they will only adhere together and substantially not lose their spherical shape and crystalline clarity. If desired, the support 20 for the pen 22 can be attached by mechanical means, such as a bolt or screw, after the base has been removed from the oven and permitted to cool.

The embodiment shown in FIG.2, which is similar in many respects to that of FIG. 1, has its corresponding features identically marked with the same numerals primed. However, in this paper weight form of the invention, the icy snow upper surface portion 28' is of greater thickness than in FIG. 1, thereby providing a whiter cast to the snow surface. This effect is attained by shortening the time of heating the mass of thermoplastic pellets 40 of the upper portion 28 while in the mold 35. The paper weight embodiment of FIG. 2 is preferably smaller than that of FIG. 1 and therefore only a single seal 16 is mounted thereon instead of the plurality appearing in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, coloring material, such as a blue dye, is added to the first mass of pellets 40 which form the lower portion 26" of the base 10". The second mass of pellets 40 which form the upper portion 28 are heaped somewhat to form a small mound on the base 10 and preferably located in the approximate center thereof. The lower portion 26" of the base 10" preferably is non-level and of varying thickness. The

fusion of the thermoplastic pellets in lower portion 26" is carried out to a larger extent than in the previously described embodiment so as to melt the major portion of them and the pellets of the upper portion are only slightly fused so that such upper pellets retain their shape and remain relatively crystal clear, The blue color of the major portion of the base will reflect a slight bluish tint up through the surface ice of the upper portion 28", as well as the iceberg 14" and imparts thereto the illusion of extreme coldness which is further emphasized by the presence of the bear 44.

The decorative article described in the several embodiments comprises several parts including a base having a lower portion 26 and an upper portion 28 as well as one or more animate or inanimate objects in combination with the base. Each of the parts of the decorative article serves to help create the overall impression of an arctic scene and enhance esthetic appearance. The lower base portion 26 is formed from transparent material and has an irregular periphery, It thus simulates a floating ice slab. The upper base portion is made from reflective pellet material which sparkles like snow. The sparkling pellet material is arranged in varying thicknesses and forms an irregular non-planar layer which simulates hills and valleys of snow. The animate or inanimate objects are of a character to suggest icebergs or arctic animals.

I claim:

1. A decorative novelty indicative of a frigid locality comprising a substantially rigid base, said base having lower and upper portions, said lower portion being formed of generally transparent thermoplastic material having a smooth flat bottom surface and irregular peripheral side walls, said upper portion being formed of generally transparent thermoplastic pellets arranged so that certain of said pellets are united to adjacent pellets and to said lower portion, certain other pellets are superimposed upon one another and are united only to other pellets, the upper surface of said upper portion having a beaded non-planar configuration of a character to reflect light in random directions, at least one animate or inanimate object of a character to suggest an arctic scene partially imbedded within said base and attached thereto in spaced relation to said side walls, said object being of solid substantially rigid construction and projecting upwardly above said upper surface of said upper portion. 

1. A decorative novelty indicative of a frigid locality comprising a substantially rigid base, said base having lower and upper portions, said lower portion being formed of generally transparent thermoplastic material having a smooth flat bottom surface and irregular peripheral side walls, said upper portion being formed of generally transparent thermoplastic pellets arranged so that certain of said pellets are united to adjacent pellets and to said lower portion, certain other pellets are superimposed upon one another and are united only to other pellets, the upper surface of said upper portion having a beaded non-planar configuration of a character to reflect light in random directions, at least one animate or inanimate object of a character to suggest an arctic scene partially imbedded within said base and attached thereto in spaced relation to said side walls, said object being of solid substantially rigid construction and projecting upwardly above said upper surface of said upper portion. 